Posted on 11/06/2005 7:32:30 AM PST by echoBoomer
ANYONE who supposes that evolution doesn't happen, or doesn't matter, should spare a thought for H5N1, the virus causing avian flu. If we're unlucky, this virus will give us a nasty demonstration of evolution in action...At the moment, the virus cannot pass easily from one person to another. But there are a couple of ways it could evolve to do so.
The virus might infect someone already sick with a strain of human flu, and the two viruses could have sex, thus creating a new virus that contains some genes from each. Such viral hanky-panky is thought to have led to the flu pandemics of 1957 and 1968. Or the virus could mutate - acquire accidental changes to its genetic material - in such a way that it becomes able to travel between people. Mutations to an avian flu virus are thought to lie behind the 1918 pandemic...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Certainly, it's been common knowledge that species adapt to their environment and food supply by limited changes. But that known process does not extrapolate into becoming a new type of creature altogether.
Evolution, as it is taught, depends completely on the notion of creating new species. If notion is proved, evolution (as it is advertised) is proved, if not, then not.
The best you have is that evolution, supra, has not been disproved (although sheer common sense has made some headway).
"...however eveolution is only an unproven theory"
It's still the best explanation of all the observed facts and evidence - nothing else comes close - and that drives Creationists crazy!
A virus is still a virus. Different breeds of dogs can be bred and are still dogs. Which slime did this new virus evolve from? Are the birds evolving into a Virus? I missed something along the way.
If we can teach one theory in our schools, we should be able to teach another."
Actually, one does not 'prove' a theory. It is understandable why some folks would be disturbed by that, including myself. In fact, it is correct that the theory is a framework that describes a series of facts or phenomenon. And yes, a theory can be altered or updated depending on new information. It would be nice to keep this straight, because in threads such as this one, points like this are highjacked to be used as a bludgeon, and inevitably lose the substance of the topic posted.
Where I have a problem is when tautologies ( simple definition: statements which are true by their own definition ) are substituted for true predictive ability of a theory.
I also have a problem when a theory is used 'out-of-scope'. Sadly, evolution is often abused this way.
The real danger is that the true work is now becoming hijacked by the political sphere, much like global warming, and is being used as a scientific mask to justify all sorts of public policy of less than beneficial intent.
I would propose to keep the true definition of theory in mind on these threads, otherwise they'll remain a flame fest.
Given your certainty on this it's interesting that Behe and Denton don't have any doubts about common descent. You might remember Behe. He's the expert witness for the defense at the Dover trial.
There simply isn't a traceable trail of beings that supports the progression the evolutionist religion propigates. It's all about faith, and hey, it's a cult I'm not buying into.
Actually, don't they have to prove how all life is derived from hydrogen? I guess that's the easy step...
You know, the two constants in the universe are now hydrogen and liberalism (used to be stupidity, but the liberals clearly laid claim to stupidity).
Ethernet is now a close third.
Then why would critics of Darwinian evolution like Behe accept common descent as a given?
When evolution is proposed as a significant fact based scientific theory, there will always be a flame aspect to the thread if I'm around. The theory of eveolution is bunk. It's being preached to our children as if fact. I can't support that.
I think it's funny when creationists criticize science by calling it a religion. They must feel very insecure in their own faith.
Do you believe the Earth and all its life was formed in a period of 168 hours (7 days), too?
It's well documented that the planet is over 4 billion years old, primitive life forms (algae, slime molds) have been around for 1.5 billion years, plants for 600 million years, etc. Or do you think that's just more scientific propaganda?
More people should be exposed to Dr. Kent Hovind's seminar tapes on Creation vs. Evolution. He explaines perfectly the differences between Macro and Micro evolution. You can learn more about him at www.drdino.com
I would suspect that much of the 'belief system' surrounding the theory of eveolution is genetically based. Certain buildig blocks being present in various life forms, has convinced some folks that commonality exists, therefore all are realated. That is one theory.
An alternate theory would be that a God who created man and everything else, would use common building blocks.
Neither of these theories can be proven. Both must be taken on faith. That's why I refer to the propagation of the Evolution Theory as a religion. It's "true believers" are just as dogmatic about it as relgionists are.
I may not be able to prove God created man, but at least I'm up front about that. Evolutionists are convinced they are right, and nobody else is. Wrong!
BS. You should know that theories cannot be proved! "Evolutionists" post this often enough. But, just so you have no excuse for this particular ignorance again...
Definitions (from a google search):
Theory: a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses"; "true in fact and theory"
Hypothesis: a tentative theory about the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena; "a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory"; "he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices"
Observation: any information collected with the senses
Data: factual information, especially information organized for analysis or used to reason or make decisions
Fact: when an observation is confirmed repeatedly and by many independent and competent observers, it can become a fact
Belief: any cognitive content (perception) held as true; religious faith
Dogma: a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
Impression: a vague idea in which some confidence is placed; "his impression of her was favorable"; "what are your feelings about the crisis?"; "it strengthened my belief in his sincerity"; "I had a feeling that she was lying"
Based on this, evolution is a theory. CS and ID are beliefs or dogma.
No one is trying to teach the creationist straw-man version of evolution i.e. virus magically mutates into moss or frog in one or a couple of steps.
And since when is being convinced by the evidence for evolution equivalent to being an "anti-God kook"?
Oh yeah, in the straw-man world of the creationist.
I don't pretend to have all the answers, and that's the difference between me and an evolutionist. I have faith in God and I'm perfectly willing to have Him clear this up in His own time. You on the other hand are convinced evolution presents all the answers and those of other religions don't. Wrong! Completely wrong.
If you want your theory taught in schools, I can live with it. I want the alternative theory to be taught there as well.
Neither of us has all the answers.
In one sentence, you've demonstrated you don't understand the subject one bit. Evolution theory and abiogensis hypotheses are not dependent on one another in any way.
"I missed something along the way."
Biology class?
Faith is faith. What's funny is when an evolutionist doesn't have the cajones to admit what his belief system is based on.
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